Runner-up Phillip Johnson is a senior for the Dayton Flyers (Dayton Athletics Photo)

MEQUON, WI (August 16, 2017) - Dayton senior Phillip Johnson didn't close the way he had hoped but at 4-under he was able to finish as the runner-up at the Wisconsin State Open hosted by North Shore Country Club.

Johnson began the 36-hole final day with a 2-under 70 to reach 6-under and the lead but a disappointing 2-over 74 in the final round dropped him back to 4-under and second place. The title ultimately went to professional Maxwell Hosking at 5-under. Hosking carded the winning birdie on the par-3 17th hole.

In third round Johnson, who shared medalist honors this past year at the NKU Fall Collegiate Classic, moved into the lead with a third consecutive 70 that included an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys.

During the final round Johnson struggled early before charging late. On the 4th hole Johnson double-bogeyed and then on the 5th he dropped another shot to fall to 3-under. Johnson did birdie the 7th but bogeys on Nos. 12 and 13 saw him dip all the way to 2-under. Needing to go low down the stretch Johnson birdied the last two holes only to come up a stroke short of forcing a playoff.

Third place was shared by amateurs Matthew Bachmann and 36-hole leader Garrett Jones at 3-under while in fifth it was professional Ben Bendtsen III at 2-under.

Bachmann is set to begin his sophomore year at Marquette where he was the Big East Freshman of the Year. Jones is a former University of Wisconsin golfer.

ROUND TWO RECAP

Former University of Wisconsin golfer Garrett Jones of Madison shot a two-under-par 70 on Tuesday to move into the lead of the 97th Morgan Stanley Wisconsin State Open at North Shore Country Club.

Jones was one of a quartet of golfers tied for the lead after the first round. Starting on the back nine, he turned at one over but turned his round around by making birdies on three of the first five holes on the back nine.

His round of 70 moved him to five under for the tournament with a 139 total.

Jones leads by one shot over another amateur golfer, Phillip Johnson of Colgate, WI. The University of Dayton rising senior shot his second straight 70 to sit alone in second at four-under 140.

Two other amateurs are in contention going into Wednesday's final 36 holes. Trevor Thomas of Junction City, WI and Marquette University shot consecutive 71s to get into a tie for fourth place at two-under 142, three shots behind Jones. Brian Murtagh of Milwaukee, who shared the lead after an opening 69, shot a 74 in round two and trails by four shots.

Scoring was higher on day two, with only one score in the 60s on the day. Only seven players are under par for the first 36 holes.

The amateur success in the tournament so far is notable, given that there were only two amateurs in the top ten of last year's tournament (none in the top 5). Jones finished 10th as a reinstated amateur in last year's event at Blackwolf Run.

ROUND ONE RECAP

Amateur players Garrett Jones and Brian Murtagh are among four leaders at 3-under par after the first round at the Wisconsin Open.

Jones, who finished within the top ten in last year’s event at Blackwolf Run, is looking to improve this year on the 6,900 yard par-72 North Shore Country Club layout. As one of nineteen players under-par after round one, the University of Wisconsin alumnus is in great position going into the final 54-holes.

Cardinal Stritch University Junior Brian Murtagh hopes to highlight the summer with a win before returning to class in the coming weeks. His day began smoothly, making birdies on the No. 2, 5, and 7 before his first bogey would come on the par-4 9th. After making pars on Nos. 10 through 13, Murtagh would make a double bogey on the 14th, bringing him back to a respectable, but not as preferable even-par. The Irish born athlete was able to dig deep after his mistake, though, and birdied three-in-a-row before making a closing par on the 18th.

Both players posted 69, making six birdies, a bogey and a double bogey a piece.

Tied with Jones and Murtagh from the professional ranks are Mt. Pleasant’s Ben Bendtsen III and Andy Buege of Abrams.

ABOUT THE Wisconsin State Open

72-Hole Stroke Play Competition with an open
qualifier preceding the championship. Forst
contested
in 1919. A 36 hole cut
will be made after Round 2 is completed. The low
60
and ties will make the cut.

Open to any legal resident of the State of Wisconsin.
Any non-exempt player attempting to qualify must
reside in the State of Wisconsin for a minimum of
three months during the calendar year.